‘The Impossible,’ ‘Promised Land,’ ‘Texas Chainsaw 3D’: Review Revue

This week at the multiplex, we’ve got a family in peril (“The Impossible,” starring Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor), a town versus a corporation (“Promised Land,” starring Matt Damon and John Krasinski), and killer with a chainsaw (“Texas Chainsaw 3D,” starring Alexandra Daddario and Tremaine “Trey Songz” Neverson). Find out what the critics have to say on Rotten Tomatoes.

“The Impossible”

Based upon a true story, “The Impossible” puts viewers though a ringer, and critics say the film is both visceral and harrowing, despite the occasional attempt at emotional manipulation. Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor star as parents on vacation in Thailand with their three children when a brutal tsunami hits and forces them to fight for their lives. “The Impossible” is Certified Fresh at 77 percent on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer; check out some of the reviews here:

Fresh: “‘The Impossible’ is primal stuff, a tribute to the power of family, to the determination of a mother and father, defying nature, defying the odds, driven by hope.” — Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Fresh: “Say a prayer that ‘The Impossible’ is the closest that you or I or anyone anywhere will get to the kind of catastrophe that makes this movie so harrowing, riveting — and uneasily ‘uplifting.’” — Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Rotten: “‘The Impossible’ is a confounding misfire: so much artistic vision, combined with moral and emotional shortsightedness.” — James Rocchi, MSN Movies

“Promised Land”

“Promised Land” has a prestigious cast (Matt Damon, Frances McDormand, John Krasinski) and a distinguished director (Gus Van Sant), and it tackles a hot-button issue (fracking). Unfortunately, critics say it’s also over-earnest and contains several implausible plot twists. Corporate salesman Steve Butler (Damon) is dispatched to an economically depressed town to secure drilling rights for an energy company. However, he meets resistance from a grassroots effort by local residents. “Promised Land” is currently at 46 percent on the Tomatometer; here’s what some of the critics are saying:

Rotten: “‘Promised Land’ feels divided against itself, not quite sure how to reconcile its polemical intentions with its storytelling impulses, and thus finally unable to fulfill its own promise.” — A.O. Scott, New York Times

Rotten: “While there’s no faulting the talent or good intentions of the people involved, however, they make the mistake of leaving out the spoonful of sugar, which makes the medicine get stuck in your throat. It’s all message and very little movie.” — Alonso Duralde, The Wrap

Fresh: “Though the film eventually caves to sentiment and stereotype, its alert performances and muted rhythms offer much to enjoy in the interim.” – Jeannette Catsoulis, NPR

Fresh: “Whatever ambiguity the movie’s core lacks is rebalanced at the surface; its organic textures are woven on a conspicuously synthetic frame.” – Richard Brody, New Yorker

“Texas Chainsaw 3D”

It appears that the folks behind “Texas Chainsaw 3D” are concerned that their film is way too scary for weak-willed movie critics, since it wasn’t screened prior to its release. Once again, a scary dude named Leatherface is terrifying teenagers deep in the heart of Texas. Check back with Rotten Tomatoes for reviews when they become available.